Arendz entered the competition as the defending world champion in the event. Another Russian, Azat Karachurin, took bronze. Arendz will have a few more chances to crack the podium in Sochi, as he’s also competing in the 12.5 km and 15 km events later in the Games, along with the Nordic relay.

"[It’s] more of the same [for the next events], perfect or try to be perfect on the range and really smart race plans throughout,” he said. “If I execute that well, we'll see where it ends up."

Canadian cross-country star Brian McKeever pulled out of his race on Saturday, the men’s 7.5 km biathlon in the visually impaired category. The 34-year-old from Canmore, Alta., has been battling a virus prior to the Games.

Ukrainian Vitaliy Lukyanenko ended up winning the event in a time of 20:18.8, with Russia’s Nikolay Polukhin finishing in the silver medal position 11 seconds back. Vasili Shaptsiaboi of Belarus won bronze.

Multiple Russians on the podium was a recurring theme at the Laura Cross-country Ski & Biathlon Center on the first day of competition in Sochi. Russia won gold in three of the six biathlon events on Day 1 of the Games, and took seven medals overall.

Two more Russians finished first and second in the women’s 6 km standing classification earlier in the day. Alena Kaufman won gold in a time of 18:27.2, 30 seconds ahead of teammate Anna Milenina. Iuliia Batenkova of Ukraine took bronze. Caroline Bisson of Ottawa was 14th.

Roman Petushkov won the host country’s first gold of the Paralympics in the men’s 7.5 km sitting biathlon, finishing in 21:03.7, eight seconds ahead of Maksym Yarovyi of the Ukraine. Kozo Kubo of Japan won bronze.

Popular Now

Comments

To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted.

By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.